Alligator meat is a delicacy here in Louisiana. Years ago, alligator was plentiful but demand for alligator hide nearly drove them into extinction. Nutria (a relative of the beaver seen in the photo on the right) lacking their natural enemy, have grown in numbers and eat so much vegetation that coastal erosion has become a problem. Cajuns, always frugal with what nature provides, found that alligator meat was tasty --- especially the tail for grilling. Conservation and even alligator farming has brought this tasty meat back to our tables.

A sauce piquante (pronounced sos pee-kont) is a highly seasoned stew. Piquante means "to prick" and that's what the spices and flavors in this do.